Final answer:
To calculate Patty's new credit card balance before finance charges, subtract the payment of $100 from her initial debt of $3,256, then add the new $524 charges, resulting in a new balance of $3,680.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find Patty's new balance on her credit card before finance charges are added, we need to adjust her initial debt with the payment she made and the new charges she added to the card. Patty's initial debt was $3,256. She made a payment of $100, which reduces her debt. However, she also charged an additional $524 to the card.
To calculate her new balance, we subtract the payment made from the initial debt and add the new charges:
New balance = Initial debt - Payment + New charges
New balance = $3,256 - $100 + $524
New balance = $3,156 + $524
New balance = $3,680
Therefore, Patty's new balance on her credit card before finance charges are added is $3,680.